Game Of Thrones: 10 Tyrion Quotes That Should’ve Made It To The Show

From the very beginning of Game of Thrones, Tyrion Lannister was established as one of the smartest characters in the show, who was forced to rely on his wits due to the fact that his father – and everyone else – looked down on him due to him being born a dwarf. His wits were his main defining trait, along with a kindness that was alien to most Lannisters.

As the show progressed and, eventually, ended, traces of that intelligent and brave Tyrion audiences came to know were hard to find. Much like several other characters, the youngest Lannister didn’t seem to have a fitting end. But the good news is, George R.R. Martin as yet to finish his books, so Tyrion’s fate is still up in the air. With all of this in mind, let’s take a look at some quotes from the A Song of Ice And Fire books that should’ve made it to the show.

10 When you tear out a man’s tongue, you are not proving him a liar, you’re only telling the world that you fear what he might say.

Tyrion was a well-rounded character, much like all the other characters created by George R.R. Martin. He wasn’t just astute and bright; Tyrion was also just, unlike his father Tywin and his sister Cersei.

Audiences did get to see this side of Tyrion quite often, although the efforts to make him remain sympathetic despite his actions led to some questionable decisions. This particular quote is yet another incredible showing of his best qualities.

9 I am malformed, scarred, and small, but… abed, when the candles are blown out, I am made no worse than other men.

It’s no secret to anyone that Tyrion was mistreated by pretty much everyone due to his appearance. Peter Dinklage is the one and the only choice fit to portray the character, but his looks do deviate a lot from what is portrayed on Game of Thrones.

Even though his appearance had a big impact on Tyrion, he also did come a long way overcoming them and coming into his own in a way. As he puts it here, when the lights go out, he’s just like any other man – not better, not worse, just a man.

8 Kindness is not a habit with us Lannisters, I fear, but I know I have some somewhere.

If there’s one thing Tyrion is, that would be self-aware. He knows who he is, he knows the weight his family’s name carries, he knows his flaws, his strengths, and his weaknesses.

He also knows that most of his family are monsters. Tyron, however, isn’t. On the contrary, he oftentimes seems to be more compassionate and just than characters from houses that are deemed more trustworthy and generous.

7 We are puppets dancing on the strings of those who came before us, and one day our own children will take up our strings and dance on in our steads.

Looking at the big picture of A Song of Ice And Fire is a complicated task. The world created by Martin is so complex and paved with so many prophecies, ancient feuds, and political intrigue that creating a mental map of the story becomes almost impossible.

Truth is, all the events that have been set in motion can be traced to decades, centuries, and even millennia ago. And Tyrion, in typical smart Tyrion fashion, is very much aware of this.

6 My sister has mistaken me for a mushroom. She keeps me in the dark and feeds me s***.

Snarky Tyrion is one of the best versions of the character. Unfortunately, as the show went one, we got less and less of his sarcastic banter and ironic remarks. The addition of more lines of dialogue like this would’ve been a treat for fans and further cemented this aspect of his personality.

5 She is greedy. Greedy for power, for honor, for love.

In spite of their romantic and incestuous relationship, Jaime isn’t the person who knows Cersei the best. His love for her often makes him see her actions through rose-tinted glasses.

Out of all the characters who know Cersei, Tyrion is the one who truly knows her. And that’s something we hope will still come into play in George R.R. Martin’s books.

4 Knights know only one way to solve a problem. They couch their lances and charge. A dwarf has a different way of looking at the world.

Tyrion’s appearance deemed it impossible for him to be taken seriously as a knight, and win the love and respect of his father and the population of the Seven Kingdoms.

The different path that he took in life was what made him such an astute and intelligent character, to begin with. Tyrion doesn’t know brute force only – he knows strategy and how to stay one step ahead.

3 The best lies are seasoned with a bit of truth.

What does being insanely smart also imply? That Tyrion can be a great manipulator. Not in the same ways that Cersei and Even Margaery are, but in ways that play subtly to his advantage. If you’re going to lie, do it in a smart way – season it with a true, and people will be more inclined to believe you.

2 You can buy a man with gold, but only blood and steel will keep him true.

In the world of A Song of Ice And Fire and A Game of Thrones, money is undoubtedly important. You can buy horses and soldiers, you can buy someone’s silence, and a myriad of other meaningless things.

But you can’t buy loyalty and truth. These are two things that can only be proven, and in this universe, proven with blood and weapons.

1 Pretending to be dead is one way to survive a battle. Good armor is another.

Have we mentioned how snarky Tyrion is just the absolute best? The mushroom quote might be hilarious, but this one, masked as actual life advice, is both useful and laugh out loud funny. He’s not wrong – pretending you’re dead might actually go a longer way helping you stay alive than wearing good armor!

About The Author

Mariana Fernandes
(100 Articles Published)

Mariana is a 24-year-old Marketing graduate and self-proclaimed business storyteller who loves books, travelling, and the beach. With too many notebooks to keep track of and a persistent feeling of wanderlust, she wants nothing more than to tell stories and pet puppies. All the puppies!

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